Qualifications for Foreigners to Work in China

Any foreigners seeking employment in China shall meet the following conditions:

a. 18 years of age or older and in good health;

b. with professional skills and job experience required for the work of intended employment;

c. without a criminal record;

d. with a clearly-defined employer;

e. with a valid passport or other international travel documents in lieu of the passport (hereinafter referred to as "documents in lieu of the passport").

The Chinese government adopts the licensing system for the employment of foreigners in China. This means that an employer shall apply for the employment permission if it intends to employ foreigners and may do so after obtaining approval. The licensing system for the employment of foreigners in China consists of three stages: the application for the Employment License of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners, the application for the employment visa, and the application for the Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners and the residence certificate for foreigners. Foreigners with an employment license shall enter China with an employment visa (in case of agreement on mutual exemption of visas, the agreement shall prevail.), and may work within the Chinese territory only after they obtain the Employment Permit for Foreigners and the residence certificate for foreigners.